Iain McAllister 🔜Dragonmeet
@giantbrain.co.uk
Game writer, freelance critic, and podcaster. Host of the Brainwaves Tabletop News Podcast. Writer for Tabletop Gaming Magzine. Host of Cult of the Old. Find all my work here https://linktr.ee/thegiantbrain
Pinned
The Giant Brain
Tabletop Game Reviews, Interviews, and Criticism
giantbrain.co.uk
Hello new followers! I'm Iain McAllister and I post about games of all persuasions. You'll find all my written work over on my site. I have a particular focus at the moment on trying tabletop RPG criticism in different ways. Links in Bio, podcasts included.
giantbrain.co.uk
giantbrain.co.uk
Reposted by Iain McAllister 🔜Dragonmeet
After seven years, we are bringing Brainwaves to an end at the end of this year.
It's been a great time, and we've done some fantastic work. I won't lie, I'm still quite sad about it, but onwards and upwards to better things.
Good luck finding the next best place for tabletop news.
It's been a great time, and we've done some fantastic work. I won't lie, I'm still quite sad about it, but onwards and upwards to better things.
Good luck finding the next best place for tabletop news.
I've put up a post explaining why I am bringing Brainwaves to an end. This was originally a patron only post and then in our Discord.
giantbrain.co.uk/2025/11/25/a...
giantbrain.co.uk/2025/11/25/a...
An Important Brainwaves Announcement - The Giant Brain
Over the last year or so I’ve been changing up what I do with The Giant Brain. I’ve focused more on RPGs, taken to writing a little less regularly but taking more time with...
giantbrain.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 10:21 PM
After seven years, we are bringing Brainwaves to an end at the end of this year.
It's been a great time, and we've done some fantastic work. I won't lie, I'm still quite sad about it, but onwards and upwards to better things.
Good luck finding the next best place for tabletop news.
It's been a great time, and we've done some fantastic work. I won't lie, I'm still quite sad about it, but onwards and upwards to better things.
Good luck finding the next best place for tabletop news.
I've put up a post explaining why I am bringing Brainwaves to an end. This was originally a patron only post and then in our Discord.
giantbrain.co.uk/2025/11/25/a...
giantbrain.co.uk/2025/11/25/a...
An Important Brainwaves Announcement - The Giant Brain
Over the last year or so I’ve been changing up what I do with The Giant Brain. I’ve focused more on RPGs, taken to writing a little less regularly but taking more time with...
giantbrain.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 8:24 PM
I've put up a post explaining why I am bringing Brainwaves to an end. This was originally a patron only post and then in our Discord.
giantbrain.co.uk/2025/11/25/a...
giantbrain.co.uk/2025/11/25/a...
Reposted by Iain McAllister 🔜Dragonmeet
Oh hey, we put up the dozen Core Playbooks, if you want to check them out. I'll talk about them a tiny bit in the thread below.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Update 7: Preview: The Core Playbooks · Apocalypse World: Burned Over
Preview: The Core Playbooks
This was supposed to be update #1, but you all blew us away. Now we're playing catch up!Click through to download the core playbook PDF set.As always, please ask any quest...
www.kickstarter.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Oh hey, we put up the dozen Core Playbooks, if you want to check them out. I'll talk about them a tiny bit in the thread below.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Reposted by Iain McAllister 🔜Dragonmeet
All our game PDFs are pay what you want all week!
blackfiskpublishing.com/store
blackfiskpub.itch.io
(And all weeks...)
blackfiskpublishing.com/store
blackfiskpub.itch.io
(And all weeks...)
November 25, 2025 at 6:08 PM
All our game PDFs are pay what you want all week!
blackfiskpublishing.com/store
blackfiskpub.itch.io
(And all weeks...)
blackfiskpublishing.com/store
blackfiskpub.itch.io
(And all weeks...)
Dan is an extraordinary writer but this may be his best work yet. It is a very tough read. Be warned.
I don't know how to introduce this one. After three titles about opium peddling, I figured the rest of SDHistCon would be breezy by comparison. I was wrong. The next day, I experienced one of the toughest board games I've ever played. Perhaps *the* toughest. spacebiff.com/2025/11/24/u...
Unnameable
After the first day of SDHistCon, where I played three games about opium peddling, I figured the second would be easier on my stomach. I could not have been more wrong. It has no name. Its designer…
spacebiff.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Dan is an extraordinary writer but this may be his best work yet. It is a very tough read. Be warned.
Reposted by Iain McAllister 🔜Dragonmeet
The designer of Mouse Trap, Rock'em Sock'em Robots, Lite Brite, and many other toys has passed away.
What a legacy of joy!
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/a...
What a legacy of joy!
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/a...
Burt Meyer, 99, Dies; Made Lite-Brite and Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The designer of Mouse Trap, Rock'em Sock'em Robots, Lite Brite, and many other toys has passed away.
What a legacy of joy!
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/a...
What a legacy of joy!
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/a...
Reposted by Iain McAllister 🔜Dragonmeet
Reposted by Iain McAllister 🔜Dragonmeet
Hello everyone. There is a new episode of Brainwaves out today which is one of our last episodes. Brainwaves is coming to an end.
giantbrain.co.uk/2025/11/24/b...
giantbrain.co.uk/2025/11/24/b...
Brainwaves 171 - Final Countdown - The Giant Brain
Iain and Oliver are in the studio to bring you the latest tabletop news from around the globe. Also this episode we have a special announcement.
giantbrain.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Hello everyone. There is a new episode of Brainwaves out today which is one of our last episodes. Brainwaves is coming to an end.
giantbrain.co.uk/2025/11/24/b...
giantbrain.co.uk/2025/11/24/b...
Hello everyone. There is a new episode of Brainwaves out today which is one of our last episodes. Brainwaves is coming to an end.
giantbrain.co.uk/2025/11/24/b...
giantbrain.co.uk/2025/11/24/b...
Brainwaves 171 - Final Countdown - The Giant Brain
Iain and Oliver are in the studio to bring you the latest tabletop news from around the globe. Also this episode we have a special announcement.
giantbrain.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Hello everyone. There is a new episode of Brainwaves out today which is one of our last episodes. Brainwaves is coming to an end.
giantbrain.co.uk/2025/11/24/b...
giantbrain.co.uk/2025/11/24/b...
Reposted by Iain McAllister 🔜Dragonmeet
🎉 Join us @Dragonmeet on Saturday! 🐉
📚 12:30 – Fifty Years of T&T Seminar
Dive into the past, present, and future of this legendary RPG!
🆓 T&T Beta Quickstart!
Swing by our stand and grab a free copy while stocks last!
🎲 Playtest 'Trouble Brewing' scenario!
🎟️ Raffle!
📚 12:30 – Fifty Years of T&T Seminar
Dive into the past, present, and future of this legendary RPG!
🆓 T&T Beta Quickstart!
Swing by our stand and grab a free copy while stocks last!
🎲 Playtest 'Trouble Brewing' scenario!
🎟️ Raffle!
November 23, 2025 at 1:35 PM
🎉 Join us @Dragonmeet on Saturday! 🐉
📚 12:30 – Fifty Years of T&T Seminar
Dive into the past, present, and future of this legendary RPG!
🆓 T&T Beta Quickstart!
Swing by our stand and grab a free copy while stocks last!
🎲 Playtest 'Trouble Brewing' scenario!
🎟️ Raffle!
📚 12:30 – Fifty Years of T&T Seminar
Dive into the past, present, and future of this legendary RPG!
🆓 T&T Beta Quickstart!
Swing by our stand and grab a free copy while stocks last!
🎲 Playtest 'Trouble Brewing' scenario!
🎟️ Raffle!
Reposted by Iain McAllister 🔜Dragonmeet
Do you want to support UK food banks and be in with a chance to win some amazing board games, and hopefully receive them before Christmas, then enter the winter #raffle. Tickets are £1 and bundles are available.
Find out more and enter here: raffall.com/403887/enter...
#charity #win #prizes
Find out more and enter here: raffall.com/403887/enter...
#charity #win #prizes
November 23, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Do you want to support UK food banks and be in with a chance to win some amazing board games, and hopefully receive them before Christmas, then enter the winter #raffle. Tickets are £1 and bundles are available.
Find out more and enter here: raffall.com/403887/enter...
#charity #win #prizes
Find out more and enter here: raffall.com/403887/enter...
#charity #win #prizes
Reposted by Iain McAllister 🔜Dragonmeet
It's that time of year where I have to book travel to Dragonmeet but it's going to cost well over £100 so I'm posting links to my games to try and help me pay for it
loottheroom.itch.io
loottheroom.itch.io
Chris Bissette
loottheroom.itch.io
November 23, 2025 at 1:10 AM
It's that time of year where I have to book travel to Dragonmeet but it's going to cost well over £100 so I'm posting links to my games to try and help me pay for it
loottheroom.itch.io
loottheroom.itch.io
New arrival from @handiworkgames.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 6:48 PM
New arrival from @handiworkgames.bsky.social
Reposted by Iain McAllister 🔜Dragonmeet
It is #SelfPromoSaturday and I've released v1.1 of Mum Chums. It is a slice of life #ttrpg about the people who care for kids. Ideal for anyone who loves games with messy relationship maps, kitchen skink drama, and diving into scenes with a whole lot of heart. Download it free or paid today!
Mum Chums by Tanya Floaker
A slice of life RPG about the people who care for kids
floaker.itch.io
November 22, 2025 at 10:19 AM
It is #SelfPromoSaturday and I've released v1.1 of Mum Chums. It is a slice of life #ttrpg about the people who care for kids. Ideal for anyone who loves games with messy relationship maps, kitchen skink drama, and diving into scenes with a whole lot of heart. Download it free or paid today!
I'll be at Dragonmeet this coming week. I am just going as a punter but will be looking out for the weird and wonderful. If you see me please say hi, let me know what you are working on, and we can talk about me covering your games.
November 22, 2025 at 10:31 AM
I'll be at Dragonmeet this coming week. I am just going as a punter but will be looking out for the weird and wonderful. If you see me please say hi, let me know what you are working on, and we can talk about me covering your games.
Reposted by Iain McAllister 🔜Dragonmeet
Fellow TTRPG enthusiast, are you headed to DRAGONMEET on Saturday 29th at the ExCel in London?
You should!
Then, find me, Ennie-Awarded @bodieh.bsky.social, the Italian publisher @nessundovelab.bsky.social , and @fanterland.itch.io (who I don't know much about) at TABLE 1B.
#Dragonmeet #TTRPG
You should!
Then, find me, Ennie-Awarded @bodieh.bsky.social, the Italian publisher @nessundovelab.bsky.social , and @fanterland.itch.io (who I don't know much about) at TABLE 1B.
#Dragonmeet #TTRPG
November 19, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Fellow TTRPG enthusiast, are you headed to DRAGONMEET on Saturday 29th at the ExCel in London?
You should!
Then, find me, Ennie-Awarded @bodieh.bsky.social, the Italian publisher @nessundovelab.bsky.social , and @fanterland.itch.io (who I don't know much about) at TABLE 1B.
#Dragonmeet #TTRPG
You should!
Then, find me, Ennie-Awarded @bodieh.bsky.social, the Italian publisher @nessundovelab.bsky.social , and @fanterland.itch.io (who I don't know much about) at TABLE 1B.
#Dragonmeet #TTRPG
Reposted by Iain McAllister 🔜Dragonmeet
The second episode of my new podcast with @ava.foxfort.net and @timclare.bsky.social is out now. Listen in as we discuss listener questions and offer solutions as your ludological agony aunts. Got something you want us to answer? Get in touch!
open.spotify.com/episode/5boR...
open.spotify.com/episode/5boR...
People Can't Hear Faces
open.spotify.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The second episode of my new podcast with @ava.foxfort.net and @timclare.bsky.social is out now. Listen in as we discuss listener questions and offer solutions as your ludological agony aunts. Got something you want us to answer? Get in touch!
open.spotify.com/episode/5boR...
open.spotify.com/episode/5boR...
This is a great book by a good friend. A fascinating insight into the culture of games and how it changes us for the better.
Hey if you want a Xmas gift for the boardgame lover in your life (even if that person is you) then my book THE GAME CHANGERS (US title: Across The Board) is all about the history & culture of tabletop games. Hopefully it is surprising, amusing & interesting.
www.waterstones.com/book/the-gam...
www.waterstones.com/book/the-gam...
The Game Changers by Tim Clare | Waterstones
Buy The Game Changers by Tim Clare from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.
www.waterstones.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:13 PM
This is a great book by a good friend. A fascinating insight into the culture of games and how it changes us for the better.
The second episode of my new podcast with @ava.foxfort.net and @timclare.bsky.social is out now. Listen in as we discuss listener questions and offer solutions as your ludological agony aunts. Got something you want us to answer? Get in touch!
open.spotify.com/episode/5boR...
open.spotify.com/episode/5boR...
People Can't Hear Faces
open.spotify.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The second episode of my new podcast with @ava.foxfort.net and @timclare.bsky.social is out now. Listen in as we discuss listener questions and offer solutions as your ludological agony aunts. Got something you want us to answer? Get in touch!
open.spotify.com/episode/5boR...
open.spotify.com/episode/5boR...
Reposted by Iain McAllister 🔜Dragonmeet
Hey it's the weekend. Want some free stuff? Here's a thread of our free or PWYW stuff. Most of it is fully playable, or great reading:
The Hermit's Sanctuary for BEOWULF: www.drivethrurpg.com/product/3067... ENnie Nommed! Twice!
The Hermit's Sanctuary for BEOWULF: www.drivethrurpg.com/product/3067... ENnie Nommed! Twice!
November 21, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Hey it's the weekend. Want some free stuff? Here's a thread of our free or PWYW stuff. Most of it is fully playable, or great reading:
The Hermit's Sanctuary for BEOWULF: www.drivethrurpg.com/product/3067... ENnie Nommed! Twice!
The Hermit's Sanctuary for BEOWULF: www.drivethrurpg.com/product/3067... ENnie Nommed! Twice!
Reposted by Iain McAllister 🔜Dragonmeet
Bundle of Holding: Salvage Union
Scrappy scavengers in scrap-metal mech robots
bundleofholding.com/presents/Sal...
#BundleOfHolding
Scrappy scavengers in scrap-metal mech robots
bundleofholding.com/presents/Sal...
#BundleOfHolding
Salvage Union Bundle
Salvager! This all-new Salvage Union Bundle presents Salvage Union, the rules-light post-apocalyptic tabletop roleplaying game from Leyline Press about ragtag pilots who scour the ruined wasteland in ...
bundleofholding.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Bundle of Holding: Salvage Union
Scrappy scavengers in scrap-metal mech robots
bundleofholding.com/presents/Sal...
#BundleOfHolding
Scrappy scavengers in scrap-metal mech robots
bundleofholding.com/presents/Sal...
#BundleOfHolding
This video from @sskorkowsky.bsky.social is well worth your time. A great breakdown of the moral panics that have circulated around RPGs
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpjV...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpjV...
The 3 Waves of the RPG Moral Panic - RPG History
YouTube video by Seth Skorkowsky
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:56 PM
This video from @sskorkowsky.bsky.social is well worth your time. A great breakdown of the moral panics that have circulated around RPGs
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpjV...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpjV...
Reposted by Iain McAllister 🔜Dragonmeet
2 weeks to Dragonmeet @ Excel London 🔥🔥
We'll have all three of our new RPGs for the year on stand – Two Sides to the Coin, Untamed Worlds, early stock of The Hooded Man... and much, much more!
TICKETS: https://bit.ly/47oEyh3
EXPLORE OSPREY RPGs: https://bit.ly/4gbSTQ0
We'll have all three of our new RPGs for the year on stand – Two Sides to the Coin, Untamed Worlds, early stock of The Hooded Man... and much, much more!
TICKETS: https://bit.ly/47oEyh3
EXPLORE OSPREY RPGs: https://bit.ly/4gbSTQ0
November 16, 2025 at 5:44 PM
2 weeks to Dragonmeet @ Excel London 🔥🔥
We'll have all three of our new RPGs for the year on stand – Two Sides to the Coin, Untamed Worlds, early stock of The Hooded Man... and much, much more!
TICKETS: https://bit.ly/47oEyh3
EXPLORE OSPREY RPGs: https://bit.ly/4gbSTQ0
We'll have all three of our new RPGs for the year on stand – Two Sides to the Coin, Untamed Worlds, early stock of The Hooded Man... and much, much more!
TICKETS: https://bit.ly/47oEyh3
EXPLORE OSPREY RPGs: https://bit.ly/4gbSTQ0
Hello folks. My indie RPG column is expanding. I will now be writing about forthcoming games. First issue this will happen in goes out 26th December. If you have an RPG project coming out, Kickstarter launching, or ending, within a month or so after that date, get in touch.
November 15, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Hello folks. My indie RPG column is expanding. I will now be writing about forthcoming games. First issue this will happen in goes out 26th December. If you have an RPG project coming out, Kickstarter launching, or ending, within a month or so after that date, get in touch.